Stealth Knocked off by Riptide
Published on June 29, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Wichita, Kan. - The Wichita Stealth brought another game down to the wire as they had a chance to tie the score late against the San Diego Riptide, but all hopes of a comeback win vanished when Stealth quarterback Anthony Buich's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Riptide defensive specialist Quincy LeJay preserving the 60-53 San Diego win in front of 4,958 fans at the Kansas Coliseum. The Stealth fall to 8-5 with the loss and the Riptide break a five game losing streak and improve to 5-8 on the 2003 season.
The Riptide got on the scoreboard first behind a fullback/linebacker Rico Curtis one-yard run giving them a 7-0 lead at the 8:25 mark of the first. The Stealth would counter with their own one-yard run by wide receiver/defensive back Brian Livingston, following a missed extra point the Stealth would trail 7-6. The two teams would counter each other score for score for the rest of the first half. San Diego struck on a 34-yard pass from quarterback Kane Claunch to offensive specialist Lamont Webb giving them a 14-6 advantage. The Stealth would land the next blow on a 45-yard bomb from Buich to wide receiver/linebacker Melvin Phillips getting the Stealth back to within one point, 14-13 at the end of the first quarter.
The Riptide opened the second quarter scoring on a one-yard rush by Claunch and the Riptide failed to convert the extra-point attempt leaving the score at 20-13. The Stealth would tie the game for the first time at 20, when Buich found Livingston for a seven-yard score at the 4:19 mark of the second. The duo of Webb and Claunch would hook up for 16-yard pass and failed to convert the extra-point as the snap was over the head of holder Wesley Phillips making the score 26-20, Riptide. The Stealth would end the first half scoring with a one-yard run by fullback/linebacker John Norman, but like the Riptide could not convert the extra point leaving the halftime score knotted at 26-26.
The Stealth began the third quarter by scoring on another deep ball from Buich to Phillips. Buich found Phillips for a 44-yard score giving the Stealth their first lead of the game 32-26 after another failed extra-point kick. The Riptide then began their 21-point scoring spree as they scored on their next three possessions. First on a wide receiver/defensive back Dwight Carter 38-yard reception from Claunch putting San Diego on top, 33-32. They would end the third quarter scoring on a 24-yard scoring pass from Claunch to wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Miller giving them a 40-32 advantage.
The Riptide would end their scoring streak at the start of the fourth quarter on a 9-yard pass from Claunch to Webb giving them a 15-point lead, 47-32. The Stealth were not done as they hung tough with the Riptide. Wichita would trade blows with the Riptide for the rest of the fourth quarter. First on a three-yard run by Norman bringing them to within eight points at 47-39. The Riptide would add their third rushing touchdown of the game on a one-yard plunge by fullback/linebacker Trey Merkens, which the Stealth followed with a 17-yard reception by lineman Drew Mitchell from Buich bringing the Stealth back to within eight at 54-46. The Riptide would seem to seal the victory when they got a 9-yard touchdown reception from wide receiver/defensive back Jesus Reyes, putting them ahead 60-46 with 1:23 left in the game.
The Stealth would get another rushing touchdown from Norman bringing the score to 60-53. After a successful onside kick by Stealth kicker Jason Corse, the Stealth had the chance to tie the game. They got to midfield on a 12-yard pass from Buich to Phillips. But on the ensuing play, LeJay was there for the Riptide as he intercepted Buich's pass in the end zone sealing the 60-54 victory for the Riptide.
Kane Claunch was voted Game MVP, as he completed 16-of-19 passes for 281 yards and six touchdowns. Stealth fullback/linebacker John Norman was voted Ironman of the Game for his two-way performance. Norman rushed the ball six times for 13 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, he had eight tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one pass defense. Riptide defensive specialist was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his four tackles and one pass defense performance.
The Stealth have a bye next week and will return to action on July 12th, when they travel to Bakersfield, California to take on the Bakersfield Blitz. The Stealth will return home on July 19th to take on the Bakersfield Blitz an d conclude the 2003 regular season on July 26th when they take on the Cincinnati Swarm. Kick-off for the two games is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available by calling the Stealth office at 316.755.3307.
arenafootball2 Stories from June 29, 2003
- Stealth Knocked off by Riptide - Wichita Stealth
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